13 End-time Prophetic Events—in Exact Sequence

The following excerpts were obtained from an article by David C. Pack, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief (The Real Truth) August 24, 2011

But what is the truth of Bible prophecy?

Jesus Christ, along with Old Testament prophets and other New Testament writers, spoke about specific events and trends that would precede His Return. There are about 70 that occur in sequence, culminating in the Return of Christ. Some are larger than others—but all are provable. The purpose of this unique Personal is to simply and briefly reveal in sequential order the first of 13 major events. They form a foundation to understand the answers to the most crucial questions about the future!

NUMBER 1: The worldwide breakdown of character

The apostle Paul warned, “In the last days perilous [or dangerous] times shall come…” (II Tim. 3:1). Here is what he describes: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (vs. 2-4). This time has come!—and it is worsening! Look around. People’s conduct is changing. More authority figures are sounding the alarm that human nature is running wild—and conditions are exploding out of control! No thinking person can disagree. Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13 are parallel accounts of what is called the Olivet Prophecy. This crucial prophecy works in combination with the books of Revelation and Daniel, and puts in sequential order events that span the entire period from Christ’s First Coming until His Return 2,000 years later. Jesus explained exactly what would occur—what the serious observer should be looking for—and expect. He presented, in plain, clear language, all key events and trends. These parallel Revelation 6 precisely. Matthew 24 provides clues, which explain the symbols we will study in Revelation. You will see Jesus gives a direct answer to a direct question. Paul’s last-days description culminates with, “Evil men and seducers shall wax [grow] worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Tim. 3:13).

NUMBER 2: False Christianity grows much worse

First, Jesus told His disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I [Jesus] am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5). Jesus goes straight to the problem that would exist—there would be many deceivers at work. Christ warned that the many would be deceived by those claiming to represent Him—not the few. Are you concerned about this? The number of false teachers and false prophets is exploding, exactly as Jesus warned three times (just in Matthew 24) would occur. Most are unaware of this deception—and its impact throughout Christianity. Now let’s read the exact parallel in the first seal of Revelation 6. Understand that what the apostle John records is written in symbols, not plain language. He introduces the infamous Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: “The Lamb [Jesus] opened one of the seals…behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer” (Rev. 6:1-2). The white horse represents false Christianity. The rider is a counterfeit of the true Christ and a counterfeit of His Second Coming, described in Revelation 19:11-16. There, the real Christ wields a sharp two-edged sword, while the false christ is carrying a bow. Do not overlook this critical difference! Since false teachers, ministers and false prophets have been plying their trade for centuries, Jesus’ warning for the end of the age must involve a big increase in the power, prevalence and influence of false Christianity.

NUMBER 3: War grows much worse

Following false Christianity, Jesus states, “You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt. 24:6-7). This requires no interpretation. In fact, it is Jesus’ interpretation of Revelation 6. As we read the remaining seals, we have Jesus telling us in advance what we are viewing—what the symbols mean. All mystery disappears. When the second seal opens, a red horse appears: “When He had opened the second seal…there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword” (Rev. 6:3-4). The same Jesus Christ would not give two different versions of what happens immediately before His Return. He would not tell one thing to His disciples of the first century, and another to those of the 21st century! This should be obvious. The sword of Revelation 6 is shown as an instrument of war and killing. This horse and rider take peace from the earth. When peace leaves, war remains—what Christ described in Matthew 24:6. Wars have continued and grown steadily worse since the time of Christ’s prophecy. This part of John’s astounding vision has the gravest implications for all alive on Earth today. This horseman represents the dreadful destruction of world war. By the end of the age, the potential for devastation in war has become so great it holds the power to take peace not just from two or more nations, but “from the earth.” Only in the modern age have weapons of mass destruction been available. The 20th century saw the two most devastating wars in history, with WWII far more destructive than WWI. We are in the last intermission preceding the truly greatest war, foretold to exceed anything before it. A sinning, rebellious humanity is reaching the end of its rope, when war’s potential cannot grow worse, because it can erase all life from Earth in one last blast of total destruction—if Christ did not intervene and cut events “short” (Matt. 24:22).

NUMBER 4: Wars and commotions

Jesus added this in Luke 21: “When you shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by [or yet]” (vs. 9). The Greek word for “commotions” means disorder, confusion and tumult. An expanded definition could include acts and effects of terrorism, such as bombings, but also demonstrations, protests and riots. These things have almost arrived full force. But civil disobedience and related acts, including violence, will grow far worse than today’s mere front edge.

NUMBER 5: Famine

The pattern of history is that famine always follows war. In Matthew 24, Christ also said, “There shall be famines…” (vs. 7). This is reiterated in Revelation 6—when the black horse appears. Notice: “He…opened the third seal…and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice…say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see you hurt not the oil and the wine” (vs. 5-6). This pictures extreme worldwide famine—a widespread lack of food beyond anything civilization has seen. This condition is seen to seize the entire world in a terrible way. Famines are increasing now. They are now far worse than most imagine. Around 24,000 people on Earth starve to death every day—with this number steadily rising! All nations are poised for a never-before-seen global food crisis. Drastic changes will soon come to an interconnected modern world. No more will supermarket shelves brim with abundance. No more vast exports. No more wealthy nations able to assist countries stricken with drought and famine. Articles every day declare that the black horse is just over the horizon for all nations! Believe this!

NUMBER 6: Troubles

Mark’s account of Jesus’ list adds a word not found in Matthew or Luke: “There shall be famines and troubles...” (13:8). The Greek word translated troubles means “disturbance, that is, (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition: trouble.” While this brings to mind riots, civil uprisings, protests, violent crime and gang war—and these are connected to commotions—it also includes a range of difficulties that would come from floods, tremendous hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons, and other severe storms—all forms of “roiling water.” Mark’s gospel indicates that these things will also grow worse. Make yourself see what is already happening.

NUMBER 7: Disease

If war leads to famine, and it does—the resulting malnutrition invites a host of diseases. Jesus next said, “There shall be…pestilences [or diseases]…” (Matt. 24:7). The fourth seal reveals a pale horse: “When He had opened the fourth seal…behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth [one in every four people], to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” (Rev. 6:7-8). This horse is depicted as pale because it is sickly. It obviously represents disease—pestilence! The pale horseman’s arrival portends that hundreds of millions—and not just in poor, underdeveloped countries—will perish through terrifying disease epidemics. The reference to “Death”—the end result of disease—and “Hell”—hades, meaning the grave—make this clear. The death toll now from disease around the world is staggering—82,000 lives lost every day, 30 million a year—and growing! Disease will soon alter the course of history in a profound way. Horrific epidemics, the likes of which have never been seen, will strike the world’s wealthiest nations. And coming pandemics will dwarf all that preceded them. The ensuing chaos will affect you, and all of your loved ones. Everything around you will change for the worse.

NUMBER 8: Animal attacks

Revelation describes “beasts of the earth.” The prophet Ezekiel recorded, “The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him” (Eze. 7:15). First, notice the similarity to Matthew 24 and Revelation 6. When one allows the Bible to interpret itself, a clear picture emerges every time. Ezekiel continues, “Thus says the Lord God; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence” (33:27). The picture painted is almost too horrifying to contemplate. There is seen to be no way out! God permits no escape for those who will not turn to Him! Many will try to flee, but will be unable. Death will literally pursue them like a tracker an outlaw. In fact, you saw one fourth of all human beings will die from the horsemen and wild animals—and this is before things get much worse. Revelation 6:8 becomes one of the Bible’s most powerful single passages—or what might be called a summary statement—on the entire subject of prophecy. Grasp the sheer awesome magnitude of the message here.

NUMBER 9: Earthquakes and volcanic activity

Earthquakes and volcanoes have become regular in the news. The greatest period of activity in history is now underway. Jesus warned, “There shall be...earthquakes in [various] places” (Matt. 24:7). Jesus says earthquakes would be here and there—but also that they would increase in frequency and intensity before His Return. Luke adds “great earthquakes” (21:11). The word translated “great” is megas, meaning “big,” “great,” “high, large, loud, mighty,” and “strong.” Believe Christ’s words. Mega-earthquakes—of awesome magnitude, resulting in tremendous, widespread destruction. This sets apart the time when earthquakes come more often and with more destruction from less frequent relatively “average” quakes in previous periods of history. The same would be true of volcanic activity. A second point is seen by comparing Luke and Mark to Matthew. The latter lists earthquakes at the end of war, famine and disease. Luke and Mark list them before these things. The point is obvious. They will occur throughout the final years when false Christianity, war, famine and disease have grown worse. Grasp what you have learned! In effect, Jesus has given an advance newscast—or the headlines—of events and conditions that are all around us and will grow much worse. Remember, it is not my purpose here to prove every detail of every prophecy. We can only examine summaries of the most crucial events to come. The serious reader will want detail—and that detail is available. The purpose here is to give the briefest thumbnail—a powerful overview—of what is happening.

NUMBER 10: True gospel is preached

Jesus foretold that a worldwide effort to preach the true gospel would occur before the end! Notice: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14). This means someone is preaching the gospel of the kingdom today, in our present age, because the end—close as it now is—has not yet come! Delivering the only true gospel to the world—the good news of the coming kingdom of God!—is the Work of God’s Church!

NUMBER 11: The world is warned

This event works alongside number 10. The world does not know God. It is unaware of the Plan and Purpose He is working out. Worldwide disobedience to His laws, and rejection of His truths, will cause horrible plagues to be poured out on a God-rejecting humanity. But the God of the Bible is a loving God. Before punishment, He always makes certain His “watchman” sounds the alarm to those in harm’s way. Notice: “Son of man, I have set you a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity [lawlessness]; but his blood will I require at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul [your life]” (Ezek. 33:7-9). Also read verses 30-33. God wants no one to have an excuse, to say, “I didn’t know” or “Why didn’t you tell me?” It becomes our responsibility to warn all who will take heed of the seriousness and meaning behind world-shaking events and calamities, soon to come on a sleepy, unsuspecting world. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (58:1). The job of The Real Truth magazine is to issue this warning while there is still time. Jesus makes a special promise in Revelation 3: “Behold, I have set before you [His Church, in context] an open door, and no man can shut it” (3:8). This door refers to the Work God’s Church must carry out and complete. 

NUMBER 12: The Holy Roman Empire is resurrected

Revelation 17:8-9 describes a Beast that ascends out of a bottomless pit and is ridden by a “woman.” Verse 12 shows that this Beast involves 10 kings who shall receive power and unite to bequeath it to a leader who will take the role of the Beast. Comparing Revelation 13 and 17, with Daniel 2 and 7, brings full understanding of this Beast, and the system it represents. Numerous Old Testament scriptures also refer to this system, but these are the most critical chapters to understand. Combined, they explain a staggering—and deeply sobering!—prophecy about latter-day events that will affect all peoples in your lifetime! This seventh, final, short-lived resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire is arising now in the heart of Europe! A United Europe is coming—and lies just ahead. When it appears, the entire world will stand in shocked amazement. Revelation 13 describes a symbolic Beast with seven heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns, as well as a second beast with two horns. The first Beast represents the Roman Empire—a political kingdom. The two-horned beast represents the headquarters of an influential, prophetic woman, or church, that controls the first Beast. Revelation 13 also describes the “image” and the “mark” of this Beast. The prophet Daniel explained that the “ten horns” of Revelation 13 were 10 successive governments, which arose out of the Roman Empire and continue until Christ’s Second Coming. Daniel states, “The ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings [or governments] that shall arise” (7:24). Who are these 10 kings? Start by recognizing they must be successive, not simultaneous because they span a period from AD 476 until Christ’s Return. Obviously, no man can live this long and neither has any single government, empowered by Rome, lasted this long. Briefly, beginning in AD 554, the Roman Empire became known as the Holy Roman Empire. Historians almost universally acknowledge that the pope’s crowning of Justinian signaled this change. Over the centuries, new rulers appeared and were crowned—Charlemagne (AD 800)—Otto the Great (962)—the Hapsburg Dynasty of Charles V (1520)—then Napoleon (1805)—with the sixth head being Garibaldi’s united Italian head from 1870-1945! This revival of the Holy Roman Empire culminated in the defeat of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Mussolini, after signing a secret agreement with the Vatican in 1929, united Ethiopia, Eritrea and Italian Somaliland back to Italy in 1935. He declared this to be the Roman Empire re-established! But there is another figure who appears on the world scene during this period of end-time events.

NUMBER 13: The False Prophet appears

This event could easily be exchanged with number 12 because these appear at or about the same time. The Revelation 17 “woman” riding the Beast is a great false church—and the evidence of this is overwhelming. This explains the “Holy” attached to “Roman Empire.” Like one who rides a horse, camel or elephant, the woman directs, controls and guides the animal to go where she wants and do what she wants. This church is led by a leader the Bible calls the “False Prophet.” The Beast and False Prophet will combine to rebuild and lead a powerful religious-governmental system. Many verses show that demons will bring the power to work miracles through this system. The False Prophet is also called the “Man of Sin,” among other names. Paul wrote, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the day of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first [a prophecy fulfilled in the late 20th century among God’s people], and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (II Thes. 2:3-4). This religious figure will be revealed some time before God’s Work is over. This final, world-charming False Prophet will lead all nations to worship the Beast! The deception will be so widespread that these men will actually deceive all mankind into fighting Christ at His Return (Rev. 16:9, 13-16; 17:13-14).

History of Christianity

Long before Catholism, Protestantism and Evangelism was there just Christianity? Biblical scholars and theologians agree that in the early days of the Church, during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the congregation were made up of mainly Jewish people who extended a hand to the Gentile (anyone who is NOT Jewish) but within decades of its religious founding, Early Christianity was divided into three different branches that slightly differ in theology and traditions, which all appeared in the 1st century AD. They included Jewish Christianity, Pauline Christianity and Gnostic Christianity. The majority of biblical scholars agree, all modern Christian denominations have descended from one of these three branches.

Jewish Christianity: The first Christians were essentially all ethnically Jewish or Jewish proselytes. In other words, Jesus preached to the Jewish people and called from them his first disciples. (Matthew 10).

Pauline Christianity: Is a term applied to what some perceive as the religious teaching unique to Paul’s writings and specific from the gospel of Jesus. That is, Jesus distinctly taught one thing, and Paul noticably taught something completely different. Those who believe in a separate Pauline Christianity believe that the Christianity of today has little to do with Jesus’ teachings; rather, it is the product of Paul’s corruption of those teachings.

Gnostic Christianity: In most Gnostic systems the sufficient cause of salvation is this "knowledge of" (or the "acquaintance with") the divine. It is an inward "knowing," comparable to that encouraged by Plotinus, and differs from Christian proto-Orthodox views.

Christianity originated in Roman-occupied Jerusalem, a predominantly but not entirely Jewish society, with traditional philosophies distinct from the Classical Greek thought which was dominant in the greater Roman Empire during that era of time.

In the first few centuries after Christ was crucified there was no Roman Catholic Church. There was a catholic church but not a Roman Catholic Church. The word "catholic" simply means universal. In the time of the Roman Empire there were various locally governed and administered churches. For example, there was the Church of Jerusalem, the Church of Rome, the Church of Antioch, the Church of Alexandria, the Church of Corinth, etc. Each of these churches was ruled separately by their own bishops. The bishop of one church had no authority over the bishop of another church. But the Christians in all these churches considered themselves to be one spiritually even though they were governed separately. 

The Christians in these various churches did not see "eye-to-eye' on every doctrine. They differed on matters of secondary doctrine, as Christians do today, but they all were in agreement with the primary and essential doctrines concerning the Deity (God).

Crucifixions were also common in the Roman Empire. They were so common that the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth was noticed only by a small group of dedicated followers. To understand the life and death of Jesus and the birth of Christianity, one must understand the context of the Roman Empire.

Because Rome was politically the center of the Roman Empire and because of the important political events occurring there, the bishop of the Church of Rome eventually began to have greater and greater influence over the bishops of other churches in the Roman Empire. Eventually in the 5th century the bishop of the Church of Rome was recognized as having supreme authority over all of the other bishops of the other churches; there became to be organized for the first time in history the Roman Catholic Church. Hence, from this event, the Papacy would be instituted in the centuries to follow.

Christianity was adopted and imposed (325 AD) by Emperor Constantine as a replacement for all the diverse religions then recognized and practiced in the Roman Empire. With Christianity as the official and only state religion, the wealth and property of all the other religions were swept into the Roman treasury.

Christian history shows that the Holy Spirit has made sure through the centuries that all Christians agree on the essential or primary doctrines concerning the Person and work of Jesus Christ. On matters of secondary doctrines Christians have differed and continue to do so. However, some Christians believe the knowledge [or lack of knowledge] of these secondary doctrines do not affect one's salvation, but do affect one's better understanding of God. 

Wikipedia definition - A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity, identified by traits such as a name, organisation, leadership and doctrine. Individual bodies, however, may use alternative terms to describe themselves, such as church or sometimes fellowship. Divisions between one group and another are defined by authority and doctrine; issues such as the nature of Jesus, the authority of apostolic succession, eschatology, and papal primacy may separate one denomination from another. Groups of denominations—often sharing broadly similar beliefs, practices, and historical ties—are sometimes known as "branches of Christianity" or "denominational families".

The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, first referred to as Christendom, and the Church with its various denominations, from the 1st century to our present age. Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christianity spread to all of Europe in the Middle Ages... Protestantism made it's grand entrance in the 16th century and Evangelism surfaced in the 18th century.  Today there are more than two billion Christians worldwide, and remains the world's largest religion.

Related Topics:

The Basic of Christian History
What Were Early Christians Like?
Early Christianity, An Introduction

The Divisions of Christianity

The following excerpt is from the book entitled, "The History of the Church and the Local Churches," by Witness Lee

THE DIVISIONS OF CHRISTIANITY

As we have seen, due to the defending of the truth, different opinions were brought in among the so-called Christians. Then these opinions created great divisions. Eventually, western Christianity became the Roman Catholic Church, and eastern Christianity became the Greek Orthodox Church. Besides these two great branches of Christianity, there were the Nestorians in Persia. These were the three great divisions of so-called Christianity by the sixth century. 

Besides these three great divisions, there were many free groups. Because many free groups were breaking off from the general church, some designated the general church as the Catholic Church. Catholic means universal as one. Small free groups were formed because some Christians saw that the so-called general church had become worldly. They attempted to stay in the general church, but eventually they saw that there was no way to help it, so they began to meet by themselves. This happened again and again throughout the church’s history. Again and again free groups were formed. The problem with all these groups, however, was that they did not see the corporate goal of God.

The following Christian groups appeared between the beginning of the Christian religion to the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

• Adamites
• Ebionites
• Elcesaites
• Marcionism
• Nazarenes

The following are groups of Christians appearing between the First Council of Nicaea and the Protestant Reformation which are generally considered extinct as modern and distinct groups.

• Agonoclita
• Beguines and Beghards
• Bogomilism
• Bosnian Church
• Brethren of the Free Spirit
• Catharism
• Donatism
• Dulcinian
• Friends of God
• Patarines

The Reformation (from Latin reformatio, literally "restoration, renewal"), also referred to as the Protestant Reformation, was a schism from the Roman Catholic Church initiated by Martin Luther and continued by John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, and other early Protestant Reformers in 16th century Europe.

THE LORD’S RECOVERY

Some of us may feel that the Lord’s recovery started with Martin Luther, but we need to realize that the Lord’s recovery with His overcomers began in the second century. Within a short time after the completion of the divine revelation, the church fell into degradation, so there was the need of a recovery. The Lord’s recovery began immediately after the degradation of the church came in. The line of the Lord’s recovery started in the second century and has continued throughout the centuries.

Throughout the centuries those who loved the Lord would not go along with worldly Christianity. They desired to keep the Lord’s word as much as they could. They desired to live with a pure conscience and worship God according to what they saw from the Scriptures. But I have to stress again and again that they were not clear about God’s corporate goal. This is why the Lord’s coming has been delayed even to this day. Regardless of how many groups of Christians there are on this earth, as long as there is no proper church life, the Lord does not yet have His goal.

We need to have the realization that we are the "church people." Day by day we are "churching." Churching is our work. We are the church. We are not denominational, interdenominational, or non-denominational. We are the church people. We are in the recovery of the Lord’s goal. This recovery is not the recovery of justification by faith, salvation, or sanctification. We are in the recovery of the church, which includes the recovery of all the foregoing items.

(The History of the Church and the Local Churches, Chapter 1, by Witness Lee)

The Prophet Malachi

Malachi - was the last of the Nevi'im/Old Testament prophets and his story dates back to 460-450 B.C. Not only did this ancient prophet see the Israelites returning to their old, wicked habits, but he vividly predicted a judgment to be delivered by a Messiah.  

Perhaps one of the most mysterious of the Minor Prophets, Malachi's early beginnings are extremely elusive and according to the 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary, it is possible that Malachi is not a proper name, but simply means "messenger of YHWH". However, many scholars and theologians agree the ancient seer prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah (Malachi 1:10; 3:1, 3:10) during the reign of the Persian Empire.   

The editors of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia speculated that he delivered his prophecies about 420 BCE, after the second return of Nehemiah from Persia (Book of Nehemiah 13:6), or possibly before his return, comparing Malachi 2:8 with Nehemiah 13:15 (Malachi 2:10-16 with Nehemiah 13:23).   

Other theories arise as to the elusive prophet's identity ... 

"Some scholars note affinities between Zechariah 9–14 and the Book of Malachi. Zechariah 9, Zechariah 12, and Malachi 1 are all introduced as The word of Elohim. Many scholars argue that this collection originally consisted of three independent and anonymous prophecies, two of which were subsequently appended to the Book of Zechariah (as what scholars refer to as Deutero-Zechariah) with the third becoming the Book of Malachi. As a result, most scholars consider the Book of Malachi to be the work of a single author who may or may not have been identified by the title Malachi. ." (from Wikipedia.com)   

"The Jews of his day ascribed the Book of Malachi, the last book of prophecy, to Ezra but if Ezra's name was originally associated with the book, it would hardly have been dropped by the collectors of the prophetic canon who lived only a century or two subsequent to Ezra's time. Certain traditions ascribe the book to Zerubbabel and Nehemiah; others, still, to Malachi, whom they designate as a Levite and a member of the "Great Synagogue." Certain modern scholars, however, on the basis of the similarity of the title (compare Malachi 1:1 to Zechariah 9:1 and Zechariah 12:1), declare it to be anonymous. Professor G.G. Cameron, suggests that the termination of the word "Malachi" is adjectival, and equivalent to the Latin angelicus, signifying "one charged with a message or mission" (a missionary). The term would thus be an official title; and the thought would not be unsuitable to one whose message closed the prophetical canon of the Old Testament." (from Wikipedia.com)

Because the name of Malachi does not occur elsewhere in the Bible, some biblical historians doubt whether "Malachi" is intended to be the personal name of the prophet. None of the other prophets or prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the Greek Old Testament, are anonymous. Many historians find a connection between Haggai and Malachi, with Haggai being expressly designated a "messenger of Elohim" (Haggai 1:13).  

Opinions also vary as to the prophet's exact date, but nearly all scholars agree that Malachi prophesied during the Persian period, and after the reconstruction and dedication of the second temple in 516 BCE (Malachi 1:10; Malachi 3:1, Malachi 3:10). The prophet speaks of the "people's governor" (Malachi 1:8), as do Haggai and Nehemiah (Haggai 1:1; Nehemiah 5:14; Nehemiah 12:26).   

The social conditions portrayed appear to be those of the period of the Restoration. More specifically, Malachi probably lived and labored during the times of Ezra and Nehemiah. The abuses which Malachi mentions in his writings correspond so exactly with those which Nehemiah found on his 2nd visit to Jerusalem in 432 BCE (Nehemiah 13:7) that it seems reasonably certain that he prophesied during the time of Nehemiah or shortly after.  

The debate will probably continue as to Malachi's identity, wondering was this Ezra or Nehemiah or Zechariah or an unnamed individual, yet one thing remains clear, this prophet of antiquity pointed out the polluted offerings of Israel, the corrupt priests and the infidelity of the people of that time. Malachi also informed through his dire messages that one day a great messenger would come and with him would bring the "Great Day of the Lord".   

In closing, it is interesting to note, the present division of the oracles (prophets) results in a total of twelve books of "minor prophets" — a number that parallels the 12 tribes of Israel. In this respect, many believe Malachi - whether that was his name or title - was indeed an individual in his own right. The Catholic Encyclopedia asserts that "We are no doubt in presence of an abbreviation of the name Mál'akhîyah, that is Messenger of Elohim."

“Remember the Law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." ~ Malachi 4:4-5

Eclipse Warning: History Shows America Headed for Judgment

[This is an exclusive article that was found on the website,  WND]

Eclipse Warning: History Shows America Headed for Judgment

Pastor Mark Biltz explains significance of 'signs in the sky'. 

The day has finally come. Millions will look skyward as a path of darkness cuts across the entire United States for the first time in a century. 

Some wonder if the rare event has any significance beyond producing awe and wonder. 

Pastor Mark Biltz, the man who discovered the Blood Moons phenomenon and the author of the new book, God’s Day Timer, believes it does. 

“God said He created the sun, moon and stars for signs at creation,” Biltz said. “As Earth is the only place in the solar system that can witness these rare events, that’s why God filled this place with humanity. Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke that there would be signs in the sun, moon and stars at His coming. Believers who are aware and dismiss this eclipse are as Lot, who mocked the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and had to be dragged out.” 

Biltz cautioned believers not to interpret the eclipse as a sure sign of the Last Days or of certain doom. He argues the reason God sends such messages to mankind is to offer a way for believers to avert judgment. 

“I do not believe that destruction is predetermined; it can be postponed, mitigated or even eliminated depending on our response to God’s message,” Biltz told WND. “I do not believe in the ‘end of the world’ scenarios others teach, as I believe humanity is here for at least another 1,000 years. I do not believe anything apocalyptic will happen during the eclipse either.” 

But what is God’s message? Biltz said history indicates judgment is on the way unless America’s Christians repent. 

“I do believe we are headed for major judgment, based on scientific and historical data tied to biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24, Jesus discusses His coming as being similar to the days of Noah and Lot. He also ties the generation that will see His coming to the restoration of the nation of Israel.

“The timing is significant. God gave Noah’s generation a 120-year warning. It just so happens this year is the 120th anniversary of the first Zionist Congress held by Theodore Herzel on August 29, 1897. It also just so happens that very day was the first of Elul, and here we have the eclipse happening at the new moon of the month of Elul, beginning the month of repentance! This year is also the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration presented on November 2, 1917, which just so happens to be the very day Noah’s flood rains began! This is also the 70th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation and the 50th anniversary of recapturing Jerusalem!” 

Biltz argues the world is going through a historic time that could presage the return of the Messiah. 

“This time of trouble is likened to birth pains,” he said. “Who can deny the travail the world is currently going through? In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, it mentions the generation that sees Israel born in a day, the one that is the terminal generation before Messiah comes, will also be the one to see the signs in the heavens! Here we have had the blood moons on the biblical holy days. Now we have the sun eclipsed at the beginning of the month of repentance.” 

But the eclipse isn’t the only sign on the way. On Sept. 23, on the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, there will be another sign in the sky. 

“There will be a confirmation of celestial events as described in the Book of Revelation,” Biltz said. “Revelation 12: 1-2 reads: ‘A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.’ 

“The woman clothed with the sun is the constellation Virgo and represents the nation of Israel,” he said. “The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel. 

“Interestingly, the constellation Leo, the Lion, which is above Virgo, is made up of nine stars. The Lion represents specifically the tribe of Judah. It just so happens this year during the Days of Awe, three planets will join the constellation Leo making up 12 stars. Virgo will be clothed with the sun, and the moon will be under her feet, fulfilling this sign to precise detail!” 

Biltz further points out that the tiny nation of Israel has become a major geopolitical focus.  

“We are told Israel and Jerusalem were to become the focus of the world and it has,” Biltz said. “Jesus says when all these things are happening to look up! That is what I will be doing at the end of September! And I say if nothing happens by the end of October, then we’ve temporarily dodged a bullet – and we wait for the next Rosh Hashanah!”